So,
the “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” is upon us. No more so
than on the Community Allotment. How we despaired in the early months of
summer as the slugs and pigeons took their toll and we thought there would
never be any harvest for us to share!

Anne
Glover does an Alan Titchmarsh Impression

We
didn’t give up hope, however, and have been amply rewarded with an
abundance of tomatoes (growing outdoors and thus far, blight-free!),
runner and Borlotti beans, raspberries, cabbages, chard, beetroot, squash,
and even chilli peppers which are also growing successfully out of doors.
Recipes are being swapped and produce shared. We are hoping to enter one
or two classes in the Cookham Dean Village Show.

What
Do You Want Watered?

It
hasn’t all been success. Our experimental ‘Arabica’ potatoes
growing in pure coffee grounds, were a complete failure, but made us all
laugh. The coffee grounds are so fine they form an almost solid lump which
holds on to moisture, so the original seed potatoes almost certainly
rotted. However we continue to use the coffee on the compost heap and this
is a very useful addition. Carrots have been reluctant to germinate, or
were eaten by slugs, and gooseberries and blackcurrants were eaten by the
pigeons. More netting to be done in the future!

This
is How You Do It

The
Cookham in Bloom annual competition saw the Community Allotment picked out
for ‘Special Mention’, and we were awarded a prize and a certificate
for our community project.

All
is Safely Gathered In

Our greatest reward
however is the community spirit which continues to thrive, providing a
meeting point for people and children from all walks of life. Anyone is
welcome to come along on Tuesdays and Saturday mornings from 11.00-1.00,
absolutely no gardening experience required.